Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
What is MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within your body.
Most MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets. When you lie inside an MRI machine, the magnetic field temporarily aligns all the water molecules in your body. Radio waves cause these aligned particles to produce very faint signals, which are used to create cross-sectional MRI images — like slices in a loaf of bread.
The MRI machine can combine these slices to produce 3-D images that may be viewed from many different angles.
High Definition, Superior Comfort
Our MRI provides state-of-the-art technology and patient-friendly features including:
- Accreditation by American College of Radiology (ACR) and Joint Commission to ensure highest quality imaging
- Spacious and comfortable, wide-bore
- 500-pound weight capacity
- Head-first or feet-first option for some exams
- Headphones with microphone and music option for some exams
- 16 channel breast coil for quality breast imaging
- Anesthetists to monitor sedation when specifically ordered by your physician
Why MRI is Used
MRI is a noninvasive way for your physician to examine your organs, tissues and skeletal system. It produces high-resolution images that help diagnose a variety of problems. MRI is the most sensitive imaging test of the brain and spinal cord. It is often performed to help diagnose tumors, developmental abnormalities, aneurysms, stroke, pituitary gland diseases, multiple sclerosis, dementia progression and spinal cord injuries.
- MRI of Neurological System
- Brain – Stroke indication and evaluation, MS, tumors
- Spine – cord evaluation, disk abnormalities
- MRI of Bones and Joints
- Joint disorders (such as arthritis), bone infections, joint abnormalities caused by traumatic or repetitive injuries
- MRI of Body
- Liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, uterus, ovaries, breasts, prostate or other organs for tumors or other abnormalities
- Prostate MRI – allows urologist to better localize lesions for biopsy. Our facility is one of only a few facilities able to do this procedure.
- Breast MRI – in addition to mammography and ultrasound to detect breast cancer, particularly in women who have dense tissue or are at high risk of the disease.
- MRA (angiogram) of blood vessels
- Aorta, Carotid, Cerebral, Extremities – aneurysms, blockages
- Some MRA exams require administration of contrast to better visualize vessels of interest.
Preparing For Your MRI
Before an MRI exam, eat normally and continue to take your usual medications, unless otherwise instructed. You will be asked to change into a gown or scrubs, and to remove:
- Jewelry
- Hairpins
- Eyeglasses
- Watches
- Wigs
- Dentures
- Hearing Aids
- Underwire bras
The presence of metal in your body may be a safety hazard or affect the quality of the MRI image. Tell the technologist if you have any metal or electronic device in your body, such as:
- Metallic joint prostheses
- Artificial heart valves
- Heart defibrillator
- Pacemaker
- Metal aneurysm clips
- Cochlear implants
- Bullet, shrapnel or any type of metal fragment
Also, tell the technologist if you think you’re pregnant because the effects of magnetic field on fetuses aren’t well understood. If you are pregnant, your physician may recommend postponing the MRI or choosing an alternative exam.
Safety
For most individuals, there are no known harmful effects from exposure to the magnetic field or radio waves used in MRI.
Hours of Operation
Gritman MRI has coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Exams are scheduled during the following hours, with technologists on emergency call for nights and weekends.
- Monday, 7 a.m. — 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, 7 a.m. — 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, 7 a.m. — 7 p.m.
- Thursday, 7 a.m. — 7 p.m.
- Friday, 7 a. m. — 5 p.m.
